FFA coup as Bresciano, Duggan jump on board

Socceroos legend Mark Bresciano will team up with ex-Matildas defender Amy Duggan to become the newest members of the FFA board early next month as the governors of the game look to inject some football savvy among the suits.

UpdatedUpdated 19/09/2019

By
Dave Lewis

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The board has been operating with just five directors whilst deputy chair Heather Reid undergoes treatment for cancer, though she is expected to resume her role imminently.

The elevation of 74-cap Bresciano - who quit football in 2015 and undertook a sports director’s course two years ago - will please football purists keen to see people with skin in the game in influential governance roles.

Bresciano, 39, has dabbled in property development in his hometown of Melbourne since his retirement and this will be his first official foray back into the game he graced with such elan as a player during an 18-year professional career.

His presence should enliven proceedings and provide a new football perspective as he settles in alongside chairman Chris Nikou, and directors Remo Nogarotto - the former Newcastle Jets chief - and ex-Greater Western Sydney Giants deputy chairman Joseph Carrozzi.

Two other directors - Kelly Bayer Rosmarin and Crispin Murray - are also up for re-election are likely to be re-appointed unopposed.

Duggan, 40, made 20 appearances for Australia as a dogged defender before building a career as a TV personality and presenter.

And football advocates will hope she shows as much tenacity championing the good of the game in the boardroom as she did unleashing tackles on the pitch for the green and gold.

Nikou believes the pair’s arrival can act as a circuit breaker to soften the often negative perceptions of a governing body traditionally top heavy with non-football folk.

Their presence will also be good PR for FFA which has suffered significant collateral damage in recent years over their running of the game, the saga surrounding the controversial dismissal of Matildas coach Alen Stajcic the most recent own goal. It’s understood the member federations are displeased at not being consulted during the nominations process but the appointments remain a fait accompli.

A new CEO must also be in place by January to replace the outgoing David Gallop as the organization downsizes in terms of his operational scope having ceded control of the A-League to the clubs.